Zero Waste Week: Discover how reducing waste can help tackle climate change and save you money

It’s Zero Waste Week this week and Redbridge Council is supporting the national environmental campaign to get everyone wasting less.

From launching a free doorstep clothing collection service, offering community based waste reduction workshops, to collecting a wide range of recyclable items, and more – the Council has it covered when it comes to supporting local people to reduce their household waste.

We can all play our part to help tackle climate change by reducing our household waste, and recycling as much as we can of whatever waste is left.

In support of Zero Waste Week (4-8 September), why not try out these clever waste cutting ideas?

Reduce clothing waste:

The Council has teamed up with UK clothing charity TRAID to offer local people a free, bookable, doorstep collection service for unwanted clothes. Donated items go to TRAID’s charity shop, dedicated to selling pre-loved clothes with sale proceeds helping fund and resource social projects, and activities aimed at tackling clothing waste.

Within a few months of the service being launched 2.6 tonnes of clothing has already been donated locally through the service.

To book a clothing collection by TRAID go to: https://traid.org.uk/redbridge-collections/

To find out more information, advice and tips, on ways to reduce, reuse and recycle clothes, as well as how to dress for less the eco-friendly way head to the Love your Clothes page on the website.  

Reduce food waste:

Did you know on average, each home in the UK throws away eight complete meals a week, costing households around £720 a year? We’ve served up some top tips to help cut back on food waste and save money:

Portion planning and buying

Make a shopping list to help you stick to only buying what you need. When it comes to mealtimes, serve the right amount of food. Why not try this useful portion planner to help with serving sizes: https://lovefoodhatewaste.com/portion-planner

Fridge optimisation

Did you know that your fridge should be below 5°C? In fact, the average UK fridge temperature is set at a way too hot 7°C. This is terrible news for milk and other food items kept in the fridge, which can perish quickly when not stored at the right temperature.

Find out more about fridge temperatures on: https://www.lovefoodhatewaste.com/article/chill-fridge-out?_ga=2.190044905.317125162.1612275985-2076548065.1588605611

Date labels

Do you know the difference between ‘Use By’, ‘Best Before’ and ‘Display Until /Sell By’ dates? Check this guide to clear up any confusion with date labels, and to make sure you’re not throwing away food unnecessarily: https://www.lovefoodhatewaste.com/about-date-labels

Home composting

Composting is nature's process of recycling kitchen and garden waste into a valuable and nutrient rich food for your garden. By composting you can reduce your rubbish by at least 30% and save money for your household and for the borough.

Compost also improves your soil's condition and maintains moisture levels so it's good for the environment and provides you with free compost for your garden. It’s easy to get started with home composting, and we’re here to show you how. Just head to: https://www.redbridge.gov.uk/bins-waste-and-recycling/garden-waste/home-composting/

Reduce plastic waste:

Plastic is everywhere. It can be useful and convenient, but it’s also a massive pollution problem for the environment — harming marine and human health, littering beaches and landscapes, clogging waste streams and landfills.

Why not try the suggestions below to cut back on plastic waste:

• Single use plastic is one of the biggest offenders of plastic pollution. Swap single use plastic items such as disposable cutlery, straws or coffee cups for reusable ones that are a longer lasting alternative.
• Ditch plastic bottled water and opt for a reusable stainless steel bottle you can keep refilling for when you are on the go.
• Buying plastic-wrapped or packaged fruits and vegetables can be convenient, but unfortunately it creates plastic waste. Instead, buy loose fruit and vegetables and say bye to unnecessary packaging.
• Swapping balloons and other plastic party decorations for reusable and eco-friendly alternatives is a great way to celebrate in style without harming the environment.
• Reusable and eco-friendly bags such as cloth bags are the way to go for a greener shop.

Head to our website for lots more information on how switching to all sorts of reusables and cutting waste can help save you money and help the environment: https://www.redbridge.gov.uk/our-streets/

 For more information on Zero Waste Week visit: https://www.zerowasteweek.co.uk/

(END)